Pumpkin Brownies
These fudgy pumpkin brownies combine rich cocoa with spiced pumpkin puree for a cozy, autumn-perfect dessert. A marbled swirl makes them as beautiful as they are delicious, with options for vegan and gluten-free adaptations.
Equipment
- 8×8-inch baking pan
- parchment paper
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- spoon or spatula
- knife or toothpick (for swirling)
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process preferred)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil
- 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup melted butter or coconut oil
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, and salt until no lumps remain.
- In another bowl, whisk melted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth and slightly glossy.
- Combine wet and dry just until incorporated; the batter should be thick and fudgy. Avoid overmixing.
- In a medium bowl, whisk pumpkin puree, melted butter, brown sugar, egg, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spread 2/3 of the chocolate batter evenly in the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of pumpkin mixture across the surface, then dollop the remaining chocolate batter over the pumpkin. Swirl with a knife in figure-8 motions.
- Bake 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs and the top looks set.
- Cool completely in the pan for at least 2 hours before cutting for clean slices and ideal texture.
Notes
For best results, use plain pumpkin puree (not pie filling) and Dutch-process cocoa. To keep them fudgy, bake until a toothpick shows moist crumbs. Try vegan swaps with flax eggs and coconut oil, or a gluten-free flour blend. Store at room temperature for 4 days, refrigerate up to 1 week, or freeze for 3 months.